**Rescheduled ALDS Game 5 Set to Determine Yankees' ALCS Opponent**

MLB has rescheduled the crucial ALDS Game 5 between the Tigers and Guardians from its originally planned evening slot to an early afternoon start at 1:08 p.m. ET on Saturday. This adjustment comes in anticipation of inclement weather, shifting the game from its initial 8:08 p.m. ET slot, as announced on Friday.

Initially set for 4:38 p.m. ET, the schedule for this decisive game has seen multiple changes following the Yankees' elimination of the Royals on Thursday. The Tigers will rely on their star pitcher, Tarik Skubal, who is favored for the AL Cy Young Award. The Guardians' starting pitcher remains unconfirmed, but Matthew Boyd, who started Game 2, may return on regular rest.

The proactive scheduling change by MLB aims to avoid any further disruptions, similar to the scheduling chaos caused by Hurricane Helene last week, which affected the Mets-Braves series. The league's objective is to prevent any undue disadvantages for either team as they look forward to the ALCS starting Monday in The Bronx.

The Guardians secured this fifth game by staging a dramatic rally in Game 4, achieving a 5-4 win. David Fry's late two-run homer was crucial, giving them a 4-3 lead. Prior to this, the teams had split two games in Cleveland, with the Guardians winning 7-0 in Game 1 and the Tigers leveling the series with a 3-0 victory in Game 2, thanks to a key ninth-inning homer by Kerry Carpenter against closer Emmanuel Clase.

In their earlier appearances, Skubal impressed with seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and striking out eight. Boyd also delivered a solid performance with 4 2/3 scoreless innings. The Tigers are seeking their first ALCS appearance in 11 years, while the Guardians aim for their first return to the final four since their World Series run in 2016. FanDuel currently favors Detroit, with Skubal set to take the mound.